Marketing Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Marketing Manager Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Marketing Managers in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$102,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$99,029 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$87,385 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $102,000 | $165,000▲ | -$63,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $122,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,000 | $218,000▲ | -$84,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000 | $272,000▲ | -$104,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $99,029▲ | $88,710 | +$10,319 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,007 | $138,281▲ | -$48,274 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,385▲ | $74,345 | +$13,040 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 6,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $63,000 more (median: $102,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($99,029 vs $88,710 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 9.3%).
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Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.